The St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s basketball team earned their second consecutive win on Saturday, defeating Penn State Berks 86-79 in a competitive United East Conference (UEC) matchup. The Seahawks improved to 9-7 overall and 5-2 in conference play with a balanced offensive effort, as all five starters scored in double digits. Three players recorded double-doubles, underscoring the team’s strong all-around performance.
The game saw six lead changes and six tied scores in a tightly contested battle. Despite leading 21-19 midway through the first half, the Seahawks fell behind late in the period, with the Lions taking a slim 35-34 lead into halftime. Penn State Berks extended their advantage early in the second half, building a 43-38 lead within the first four minutes. However, St. Mary’s rallied, reclaiming the lead for good with a decisive 13-2 run that turned a two-point deficit into a 61-52 advantage with just under 10 minutes remaining.
Sophomore guard Kyree Smith and junior captain Jake Koverman led the charge during that run, contributing key baskets to help the Seahawks seize momentum. Although the Lions tied the game at 72-all with less than three minutes remaining, the Seahawks closed the contest on a 14-7 run, fueled by perfect free-throw shooting down the stretch. St. Mary’s converted 10-of-10 attempts from the charity stripe in the final minutes to seal the win.
St. Mary’s dominated in key areas, posting a 45-26 rebounding margin and outscoring Berks 46-28 in the paint. The Seahawks shot an efficient 53.8 percent from the field and connected on 25-of-28 free throws, which proved crucial in the close contest. However, the team’s 24 turnovers gave the Lions ample opportunities, allowing Berks to score 36 points off miscues.
Koverman delivered an outstanding performance, tallying 18 points and a game-high 15 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. First-year forward Yassine Idrissa recorded his fifth double-double, contributing 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks while going a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Smith added 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals for his first double-double of the season. First-years Tjay Beckles and Lerner also scored 16 points apiece to round out the scoring for the Seahawks.
Penn State Berks was led by Andre Ballard, who scored a game-high 19 points. Despite snapping their four-game win streak, the Lions capitalized on St. Mary’s turnovers to stay competitive throughout the game.
The Seahawks will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 18, when they host Lancaster Bible College (9-6, 4-2 UEC) in a UEC matchup at the MPOARC Arena in St. Mary’s City. The game, set to tip off at 3 p.m., is part of the team’s “Gold Rush” event, promising an exciting atmosphere for fans.
